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Dimension X

by: Old Time Radio Researchers Group

Publication date: 2006-08-03

Usage: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs

Topics: OTRR, Old Time Radio Researchers Group, OTR, Old Time Radio, OTRR Set, OTRR Certified Set, Dimension X, X Minus One, X Minus 1, Science Fiction, Sci Fi, SciFi, 1950, 1951, 1950s, OTRR - 2006-08

DIMENSION X
Dimension X was first heard on NBC April 8, 1950, and ran until September 29, 1951.

Strange that so little good science fiction came out of radio; they seem ideally compatible, both relying heavily on imagination. Some fine isolated science fiction stories were developed on the great anthology shows, Suspense and Escape. But until the premiere of Dimension X -- a full two decades after network radio was established -- there were no major science fiction series of broad appeal to adults. This show dramatized the work of such young writers as Ray Bradbury, Robert (Psycho) Bloch, Robert Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, and Kurt Vonnegut. In-house script writer was Ernest Kinoy, who adapted the master works and contributed occasional storied of his own.

Dimension X was a very effective demonstration of what could be done with science fiction on the air. It came so late that nobody cared, but some of the stories stand as classics of the medium. Bradbury's "Mars Is Heaven" is as gripping today as when first heard. His "Martian Chronicles" was one of the series' most impressive offerings.

Dimension X played heavily on an "adventures in time and space, told in future tense" theme. Actors who worked regularly on the show included Joe Di Santis, Wendell Holmes, Santos Ortega, Joseph Julian, Jan Miner, Roger De Koven, John Gibson, Ralph Bell, John Larkin, Les Damon, and Mason Adams. It was directed by Fred Weihe and Edward King. The deep-voiced narrator was Norman Rose.

The series played heavily on the "X" factor in the title, as did X Minus One a few years later. The signature was boomed out of and echo chamber as "DIMENSION X X X X X x x x x x . . . "
OTRR Release Information:

Series Name: Dimension X
Release Status: OTRR Certified Complete
Release Date: July 10, 2004
Release Version: Version 1
Number of CDs: 2
From the Old Time Radio Researchers Group. See "Notes" Section below for more information on the OTRR.

Notes

OLD TIME RADIO RESEARCHERS GROUP

This is a production of the Old Time Radio Researchers (OTRR) Group located at Old Time Radio Researchers Website (www.otrr.org), Old Time Radio Researchers Facebook Group, and Old Time Radio Researchers Group.

It contains the most complete and accurate version of this series in the best sound possible at the time of creation. An updated version will be issued if more episodes or better sounding ones become available.

If you are interested in preserving Old Time Radio (OTR), you may wish to join the Old Time Radio Researchers Group at Facebook and Groups.io.

Relax, listen, and enjoy!

OTRR Definitions:

OTRR Maintained Set -- This set contains all known episodes in the best available audio condition with the most accurate dates and titles known to be in general circulation and based on current research at the time of release. Replaces OTRR Certified Accurate and OTRR Certified Complete.

OTRR Non-Maintained Set -- A collection of shows that has not gone through the OTRR Maintenance process.

Pre-2019 OTRR Definitions:

OTRR Certified Accurate -- A series that was "Certified Accurate" indicated that all the episodes were properly identified and labeled based on current information but that the series did not contain all known extant episodes.

OTRR Certified Complete -- A series that was "Certified Complete" achieved the highest level of certification available under the OTRR Certified Standards. This certification level implied that all the files in the series were "Certified Accurate" and also indicated that the series was as complete as possible and included all circulating episodes.

OTRR Non-Certified -- A collection of shows that has not gone through the OTRR Certification process.

Also, beginning in 2019, the version numbers of our OTRR releases changed format -- instead of v1.0 or v2.1, we are now using a version number that reflects the year and month the set was released. The format used is a two-digit year followed by a two-digit month. For example, "v1906" indicates a set that was released in June 2019, or "v1910" indicates a set released in October 2019.

NOTE: There are no passwords for any of our ZIP files. If you are prompted for a password, before downloading the file again, try unzipping the file into a shorter full folder path name -- for example, unzip to "C:\" instead of "C:\Documents and Settings\your_Windows_ID\some_other_folder\". Sorry, some of our releases contain long folder and file names, which sometimes manifests itself on the Windows platform as prompting for a password for the ZIP file. Or try renaming the ZIP file itself to a shorter name before unzipping.

Addeddate: 2006-08-21 08:19:21

Boxid: OL100020404

Identifier: OTRR_Certified_Dimension_X

Year: 2006

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Reviews

Reviewer: webistrator - - March 16, 2023
Subject: Not much sci-fi from radio, you say???

"War of the Worlds" wasn't bad. It had people jumping out of windows to their death. Show me TV/Movie fare that's done the same!!! Dimension X was to radio what Twilight Zone is to TV.

Reviewer: The Bridge - - January 8, 2010
Subject: A true journey for the mind

I didn't get a chance to hear every show while on radio, but I heard every one I could, and once the actors started I was hooked to the end. For me, never a dull moment, and sometimes a long hesitation with the hot drink cup or the sandwich getting to the mouth as I listened intently.
I do suggest to anyone new to these old radio shows, download one of these shows, and one of the Suspense series, then you will be hooked.
Thank you the writers, actors, sponsors, technicians, and the creators of these fine shows.

Reviewer: XMinusOne - - October 8, 2007
Subject: Dimension X, along with X Minus One...

Dimension X and X Minus one, probably the two best science fiction shows to be on what we now consider old time radio, in part because they were were well written, well crafted, well performed, as well as being first. Lesser shows could have reduced science fiction to a footnote in the history of old time radio. Yes, there were occasional weak episodes, but that was more in the sense they were weak against the high standard they set for themselves, not weak against other science fiction series. The writing for both series wasn't as strong as, say, Frontier Gentleman or Gunsmoke, or possibly The Great Gildersleeve, Jack Benny or Barry Craig because those shows had a continuing cast which you could relate to. And, there was an overlap of episodes. But, for those with the adventure of mind and imagination that only science fiction can bring to mind, travel to space and the future, even as dated as some of the shows may be, they were almost as good (and to many people, better) than curling in a corner with the latest paperback or monthly magazine of featuring the same story.

The bad part of science fiction, of course, is that ever since 1969, no one can ever write about what it will be like to land on the moon... Still, these stories and performances stand the test of time.

Reviewer: AdamGott - - June 24, 2007
Subject: excellent series in better than excellent quality

This series has always been one of my favorites as it did a most excellent job of capturing the awe and wonder of 1950's science-fiction, in my opinion the golden age of science fiction. Many of the day's top authors are here in one of the top dramatic series of all time.

The OTRR (of which I am a member) has done a masterful job of finding some truly excellent quality recordings for this set. I have had many different tape/mp3 copies of these shows and this set is markedly better than anything that I have ever heard.

Reviewer: mpcp24 - - February 11, 2007
Subject: A Must Listen.

I have listened to the series more than once. This is by far the BEST collection with the best audio quality I have heard yet.
Even if you are not a sci-fi fan this series offers some great stories by some of the best writters of the last century.
A must listen to any OTR fan. Check it out.

Reviewer: cid92 - - January 4, 2007
Subject: New to OTR

I've recently got into OTR and I have been consumed by this series. The OTRR group has done an incredible job with this collection. Highly recommend it. Working on converting an old 40's tabletop radio so it will play my iPod. Dimension X and the other great OTR shows will sound great coming from an old radio.

Reviewer: norelpref - - September 17, 2006
Subject: Unique Program for both OTR and SciFi

While much of old radio SciFi serials were/are extremely cheesy (sometimes that is their charm) Dimension X for the most part avoids such campiness, perhaps due to drawing from such "classical" science fiction writers as Asimov, Bradbury, et. al.

This series is intelligent, well produced and acted, in a sense a radio precursor to The Twilight Zone and the Outer Limits which would later be broadcast on television.

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